The big news this weekend, if you've been living under a rock, was Zuffa's (parent company of the UFC) purchase of Strikeforce.  While some writers/sites decided to write 17 columns about it, contradicting themselves every step of the way, and even worse, comparing this, a real sports league acquisition to that of pre wrasslin, I decided to read , research, and take it all in before dissecting this huge announcement.

This is by far the biggest news to come out of the MMA world  in a long time.  Strikeforce is the number two organization, and has rapidly been growing over the last few years.  When push comes to shove though, their talent pool isn't deep, they don't have many events (compared to the UFC), and most of the big name heavyweights probably won't ever fight in the UFC.  So why exactly did Dana White go out and purchase Strikeforce?

As of right now, aside from heavyweight (where Strikeforce has four of the top 10 fighters), Strikefore has six fighters in the top 10 spread out over six weight classes.  Out of those six, three are former UFC fighters.  One is Paul Daley (#10 welterweight) who according to Dana White will never fight in the UFC again, and another is Dan Henderson (#10 middleweight, and current Strikeforce light heavyweight champion), who currently makes 250k per fight for Strikeforce.  The UFC made it clear that they aren't willing to pay Henderson this kind of money when they essentially let Strikeforce have him after his last UFC contract had expired.

Rafael Cavalcante, Ronaldo Souza, Nick Diaz, and Gilbert Melendez round out the Strikeforce fighters currently in the top 10.

Melendez is ranked the highest (currently the #3 lightweight).  He also has no fights left on his current Strikeforce contract and has been very vocal about proving himself against the best.  Melendez has always been loyal to Strikeforce, presumably because he and Strikeforce are both products of the bay area.

Nick Diaz, the current Strikeforce welterweight champion, and arguably Strikeforce's biggest star (and currently ranked #8 welterweight), just signed an extension with Strikeforce that pays him very well (he made 250k his last fight), and is currently slated to face Paul Daley on April 9.

Strikeforce currently has four of the top 10 heavyweights, and seven of the top 15.  With this statistic, and the success of the first event of the heavyweight grand prix and the buzz it created in the MMA world, some would argue that Zuffa bought Strikeforce for the heavyweight division.

I personally beg to differ for a multitude of reasons.  Alistair Overeem (currently ranked #7), likes to compete in K-1 and also likes to fight for Dream.  Co-promotion and/or fighting for another promotion is not allowed by Zuffa.  Also, most UFC stars fight 2-4 times a year.  Overeem has fought thirteen times over the last two years, and admittedly likes to stay active.

Fedor Emelianenko and Josh Barnett (#9 and #11 respectively) both either dislike Dana White, or are disliked by White.  Either way, overcoming that hurdle will be a difficult one to overcome.  Not only that. Fedor is controlled by M-1, and also is rumored to have more a contract with Showtime than with Strikeforce.

That leave Werdum (released by the UFC), Antonio Silva, Brett Rogers, and Sergei Kharitonov,  So you want me to believe that Zuffa bought Strikeforce for four heavyweights?

There is the video library and the Showtime deal.  Thing is, Dana White has burned the Showtime bridge, and something tells me that the video library isn't worth forty million dollars (what the rumored cost of the acquisition was).

Do you guys want my opinion as to why Dana White (Zuffa) bought Strikeforce?  Ego, and I see nothing wrong with that!  Sure we will get some great match ups, but more importantly, Zuffa expands their roster, moving one step closer to putting on 52 shows per year (what White has always said he wants, an event every week).

I've seen some people saying this deal is a bad thing for MMA.  How?  Because it's a monopoly?   Ever heard of the NFL, NBA, or MLB?  I for one am very excited t the possibility of having all the top fighters under one banner, fighting for world titles that actually mean something (boxing titles mean absolutely zero).

What do you guys think about the deal and what it potentially means for the fighters, but more importantly for us the fans?

It's the Monday after a great Strikeforce card and all I can think about is a possible super fight between two of the sports legends.  Dan Henderson, a multi weight champion vs. Fedor, the greatest heavyweight to ever live.  Sounds like I stepped into a time machine, flew back 7 or 8 years to Japan and am attending a great Pride Fighting Championship New Years Eve show, doesn't it?

Henderson, coming off another impressive victory in which his chin was tested, and his right hand proved again to be like a sledge hammer, vs. Fedor, coming off of a loss to a much bigger opponent.  I don't know what weight this fight should take place at, but am almost thinking heavyweight, neither man would have to cut weight.

I know I'm not the first person to mention this match up, and I won't be the last.  Henderson has one fight left on his current Strikeforce contract, and holds their light heavyweight belt.  I'm not sure if their is a champions clause, but if there is, this is a perfect way to keep 'Hendo.'  I mentioned Saturday night that a possible match up with Mo Lawal or Gegard Mousasi would almost be a perfect "changing of the guard," but now I don't know.

These are definitely the two biggest names Strikeforce has.  Fedor is no bigger than Feijao, so there really is no weight advantage.I really can't come up with a downside to this match up.  Everyone wins.  You get a multitude of outcomes.  Fedor wins (if the fight is contested at light heavyweight) and becomes a champion.  Fedor wins (at heavyweight) and instantly becomes a favorite to fight the winner of the grand prix.

If Hendeson wins, he's solidified that he's the best light heavyweight Strikeforce currently has (if the fight is contested at light heavyweight), or becomes an even bigger legend, defeating Fedor at heavyweight.  It's a win, win ,win for Strikeforce.

In the grand scheme of things, I see no downside to this match up!  What do you guys think?

Who were the winners and losers Saturday night?  Well there were some definite losers, Chris Lytle and George Sotiropoulos was another.  Lytle obviously took his opponent, Brian Ebersole lightly.  I get it considering Ebersole took this fight on about two weeks notice, but then again it's a fight.  The second I see a guy doing a cartwheel at me while we are locked in a cage, I'm going to be really serious!  Sotiropoulos on the other hand was a highly touted LW and to some the future of the division.  I didn't see it, he's a Jake Shields, but not as good.  He has a strong jiu jitsu game, and rudimentary stand up.  Dennis Siver worked hard at takedown defense, and it payed of for the German kick boxing champion.

The Biggest loser of the night, Michael Bisping.  I'll admit, I like him, and have no problem with trash talking or talking trash even after the fight.  Spitting on the corner of Rivera, very classless.  The blatant ilegal knee, unforgivable!  In a sport that is obviously violent, there is no place for purposely breaking the rules, especially if it's a cheap shot.  I understand grabbing the fenc happens, it's a reflex.  Kneeing an opponent that is 100% grounded, square in the nose/fore head is unconscionable!  His win bonus should be taken away as a fine and an immediate suspension of no less than a year should be handed down.  Not only for these actions, but admitting it was done on purpose?  Is he that dumb?

BJ Penn vs. Jon Fitch was a good fight.  I don't think too many people expected Penn to go in for a takedown, never mind successfully complete a few.  When Penn got Fitch's back, I expected it to be the beginning of the end, but Fitch proved his BJJ is adequate enough to not only survive, but reverse position.

In between the second and third rounds, I could tell it was going to be a long third.  BJ was gassed and was going to offer nothing in a way of defense.  But in my head, he had at LEAST won one round, probably the first two, and at worst won the first and drew a 10-10 second.  So in my mind, the worst possible outcome for Penn was a draw.

The third round went as expected (by me) and the fight went to the judge's.  When the first score was read 29-28 Fitch, I figured split decision.  When the next two cards were read and the fight ultimately called a draw, I felt it was the right call.  I also thought it may be time for BJ to call it a career.

Post fight, Penn, holding back tears reluctantly said he'd rematch Fitch.  What is he supposed to say?  He wanted to retire, win or lose.  He wants to go to Hilo, be a father and mange a gym.  He wants to be a family man.  Just like superstars before him, he wants to go out on top, but also loves the competition.  Michael Jordan made how many comebacks?  Brett Favre?  BJ Penn may retire in the very near future, but the right fight or right fighter will come along and Penn will want to challenge him.  You can look at all the "superstars" of the sport, who has faced as many top 10 or top P4P fighters as Penn has?  Love him or hate him, he's a true pioneer and legend of the sport!

I play on full tilt, but have seen that pokerstars has a home game option.  any maniacs interested in getting a mania poker night going?  maybe a big 50 dollar tournament or a no limit game?  My guess is they would rake 5 bucks per entry on a tournament and/or a few bucks per hand in a cash game.  Just want to get a quick idea who would be in if I set it up.  let me know!  please be 75 words!

I'm going to try to remember every detail so that I don't miss anything.  It had been years since I've gotten into a fight, me and my wife have been together almost 11 years and I can remember one altercation in that time.  In my younger days I fought quite a bit, but was never really planning on fighting again.  Disclaimer, when I mention adrenaline dump (Geno) I realize there is no scientific term, if you've ever been in a fight before, you know that rush you get, then a moment later you get stiff and can't move any muscles in your body.  The last fight that I got in, this happened and I couldn't throw a punch after the first 60 seconds/

Anyways, my wife works a half saturday, once per year and her and co workers go out after work.  This one guy she car pools with shows her extra affection but is harmless.  Anyways, they all have a good time, and when everyone leaves the place they are at, he professes his love to her.  She says whatever, you're drunk, go sleep it off , I'll call Kevin for a ride.  At this point I thought nothing of it, just aggravated that I had to pick her up.  About halfway there she calls me crying, he's in the background yelling and screaming at her, saying he''s gonna kick my ass when I get there etc.

OK, so the next 15 minutes, I control my breathing and think about breaking his arms.  I don't want to get hit, the dude is like 6'4 and I don't need a black eye.  Also, I'm not a talker or a pusher, I'm going in, guns blazing, take names after.  I pull in and face my truck in the middle of the parking lot facing out (I'm assuming the cops will be called).  I walk in and he's on the phone in the smoking area, here we go.  He sees me, hangs up his phone and I blast him in his left eye with a right.  He cowers a bit, I can't land another right unless it's to back of his head, and I want to fuck him up.  I throe 3 or 4 lefts then grab his head and knee him in the face.  He stand up, and I remember thinking "damn this dudes big."  I lunge forward and hit him with another right then walk towards the bar to get my wife.

As I'm walking towards the exit, a bus boy says he called the cops, and I hear this prick say 'I'm still right here Kevin,' so I run across the room and give a repeat performance.  Then I get in the car, drive a 1/4 mile down the road where I need to U turn, as I'm headed back past the place there are 4 cop cars.  I then go to down town Palo Alto and eat a nice dinner.  I think I broke my ring finger on my left hand, but no adrenaline dump.  I feel that the controlled breathing was what helped.

I don't advocate fighting and rarely even have a disagreement.  Also a side note, I didn't see him, but my wife was upset at how bad I fucked him up.  She saw a pic of Kos (post GSP) a minute ago and said thats what he looked like.  Im guessing it's an exaggeration, but I know he's feeling it.  Fighting is a last resort guys, but I had forgotten how fun it can be!

I've noticed over the last few weeks a lot more contributors to the comments section than normal, and the problems the newer posters have caused with the "older" posters and thought this might be fun.  I'm gonna break down the people on mania and why there is friction, don't take it too seriously, just bored and having some fun.

1. The Lurker:  even though mania gets 1000's of comments per day, realistically there are probably less than 100 people commenting.  Compare that to 100k+ page views per day, and you realize that unlike popular belief, comments don't mean shit when it comes to a web blog.  The vast majority of readers are lurkers, for whatever reason.  Some don't have the time to post while others see how the conversations go and just have no desire to contribute.  The lurker is probably the person mania likes the most, they make up a greater % of the community, and cause no problems.

2.  The Newbie:  These are the newer guys posting.  Most claim to have been lurking for years, and for the most part offer a new point of view to the conversation.  Usually they respect everyone because they see what a tight knit group we have here on mania, but you always seem to get that one guy who comes out guns blazing...

3.  The Troll:  There is always gonna be trolls as long as there is comment sections.  Trolls are guys that disagree with everyone and/or post crazy comments just to get a response out of everyone else on the forum.  A new troll seems to pop up every month or two, in some cases (ABB) the troll ends up being a knowledgable poster who just so happens to want attention at the same time.  In other cases (chatoga or whatever), the troll claims to have been a lurker for a long time, trolls certain regulars, but then proves their own ignorance by not knowing what a guy like ANS trains (duh, he tranes UFC).  We are always told to ignore the troll, but it's so difficult.  Guys like Jay can sniff out a troll from a mile away, and usually can go back and forth with said troll in multiple threads for days and sometimes weeks.  Some trolls are fun and entertaining (Danago), but for the most part just take up unwanted space!

4.  The regular:  These guys have been coming to mania for years, have become close (in terms of online) with other posters, have gone to events with other maniacs, and generally garner a bit more respect than everyone else.  The regulars consist of guys that have been here since the UFCmania days (Me, John G, VM, and stinky among others) to guys that have been here just months or years, but gained quick respect by giving great points and adding substance to the conversation with their intellect rather than by calling out other regulars.  As with any forum, the regulars tend to stick together and think that because they've been here a while, that they are better than everyone else (see Sherdog and the elitism of the higher ranked belts compared to ANY white belt, even if said white belt was someone like ANS).  The regulars are very protective of the site that they "helped mold into what it is today," put other sites down (BE) and often patrol ourselves against trolls.  Most of us realize the only thing we know more in fact is the way mania works, but some do feel that they deserve more respect simply because they've been here longer.

This was just a short break down of the mania readers, so where do you fit in?  What did I miss?  Have fun fags...err maniacs!

Everyone is responsible for making this the site that it is, and personally my 2nd favorite site (LMAO)!

Most MMA fans want to see Anderson Silva vs. GSP, and I don't blame them, it would pit two of the best fighters ever against one another.  I'd go as far as saying it would put the top two fighters P4P against one another, something that's never been done before.  I also think it would be a total mismatch, and have no interest in the fight.

Those who follow this site know that as much as i respect GSP, and will readily admit that he is the best WW to ever live, and the second best fighter P4P on the planet today.

I don't think the skill level between these two fighters is far off, although I do give an overall advantage to Silva, I just feel the size difference is too much.  I know size in a sport where weight classes rule is a poor argument, but let's be realistic!  Silva walks around at 220-230, and walks around at 6"2.  GSP reportedly walks around at 180 pounds and is 5"10.

If you throw size out of the equation, you have a pretty even fight, but let's look at this from a realistic standpoint.  Chael Sonnen is 6'1 and has olympic level wrestling.  He manhandled an injured Silva for four and a half rounds...and lost.  GSP's only hope would be his wrestling, but even though it's his strength, it's not even close to that of Sonnen's!

I'm not saying at all that GSP shouldn't move up, quite the contrary.  I'm saying Silva has no reason to stay at middleweight.  Anderson Silva is by far leaps and bounds better than every fighter at middle weight...So you are going to put a welterweight against him?  To me, and i'm sure I'm not the only guy that thinks this, what does fighting GSP prove?

Anderson Silva vs. the winner of Shogun/Jones proves more to me than Anderson beating a much smaller opponent in GSP.  I don't know, maybe I'm crazy, maybe I'm not. I don't want to beat a dead horse...what do you guys think?

It's been a couple weeks guys, sorry.  I started a new job and had zero time.  I'm now back on a "normal" schedule!

I was lucky enough to attend the Strikeforce card this weekend.  I got to say it was one of the better events I've been to as far as mixed martial arts action is concerned.  Some fickle fans may complain that Strikeforce events are full of mismatched matches, but I couldn't disagree more.  Do they have as many "top 10" fighters in any divisions (other than heavyweight) as the UFC?  Probably not, but like Scott Coker told me after the press conference, "Paul Daley was top 4 or 5 before he fought Koscheck."  He's right.  Funny thing is, a lot of fans complain that Fedor's opponents get an inflated ranking just before he faces them, yet those same "fans" fail to realize the same happens in the UFC.  Is Dan Hardy top 5?  Daley obviously isn't!  Point is, true fans of MMA want to see exciting match ups between two men who bring it and fight, and Strikeforce brings us those match ups!

The undercard on Saturday night was amazing.  With the exception of one of the amateur match ups, I can't think of a fight that disappointed.  I am one of those fans that has absolutely zero interest in watching two women fight, but have to admit that the two women's fights were amazing.  Both ended with brutal knees and were filled with great displays of striking.  The only thing that seemed to go "wrong" during the prelims was how fast they were finishing.  At one point they had to stall for about 20 minutes before starting a new match up just so they didn't finish the prelims 45 minutes before the Showtime card was scheduled to begin.

The first two fights on the main card went exactly how I expected them to go.  Roger Gracie defeated Trevor Prangley via rear naked choke and Herschel Walker defeated Scott Carson via TKO.  The one thing I took from these two fights was that Gracie needs to work on his stand up...and I mean  work on it a lot.  Yes his jits is amazing, but history has shown us that being a one dimensional mixed martial artist in this day and age just isn't effective once you start competing against better opponents.

The middleweight title fight between Robbie Lawler and Jacare Souza was an amazing back and forth battle.  At one point when Souza was in side control, turned into north/south position and then back over to side control, a fan directly behind me yelled for the ref to stand the fighters up.  That is the main complaint I have with going to events live!  At least at home I don't have to hear a moron with no clue yelling at the ref when a fighter is clearly in a dominant position.  At one point in the first round, Lawler seemed to have Souza hurt, then dropped him.  Robbie followed him to the ground, and in my opinion let Souza off the hook and ultimately cost Lawler the title.  After a great first round, won by Lawler, we saw an amazing round 2.  Souza was able to lock in 2 armbars in the second round, and Lawler amazingly escaped from both.  It was a great display of submission defense as Lawler was able to survive and more importantly go into the third round standing again.  In the third, Robbie looked tired.  Souza gets a takedown, and eventually chokes Lawler out.  At the press conference after the fight, Robbie said he was tired after the first 3:30 minutes and his body just wouldn't move.  He said it was as if he was moving in slow motion.

By the time the main event had come around, I was in a semi Twitter battle with King Mo Lawal.  I had posted a comment on Twitter saying that my only complaint of the night was that the Showtime portion of the card was going to be over in an hour.  I give Mo a lot of credit, not only is he a really nice guy, but he's a true fan of MMA.  He is constantly defending Strieforce, especially when fans tell him he should go to the UFC.  He truly appears to want to see great fights rather than be a "groupie" to one organization.

As a big Nick Diaz fan, I was admittedly a little nervous for this match up with Cyborg.  I didn't see it as the huge mismatch that a lot of fans saw it as.  I've seen Cyborg's stand up improve dramatically over the last year, and knew he'd use those vicious leg kicks to try and chop Diaz down.  The first round was very close, maybe even a dreaded 10-10 round.  It was painful to watch Diaz take kick after kick to the thigh and not even seem to think about checking them.  The second round saw more of the same, kicks from Cyborg while Diaz opened up with punches.  I love when people say Diaz doesn't hit hard, go back and watch Cyborg's head snap back after each punch lands, and then look at his face after the fight.  Cyborg was obviously sick of getting punched, so he took Diaz down and that was all she wrote.  I don't know what the qualifications are to get a black belt in jiu jitsu at shootbox, but they're obviously not the same as Caesar Gracie has (he's given out 3).

Overall it was an amazing event live.  When I watched it right when I got home, the only complaint I had was commentary.  Pat Militich is great, other than that their team is garbage.  I also asked Scott Coker about the failure to utilize the full 3 hour time slot and received a good, fair answer.  Coker told me that Showtime actually gives them a 2 hour window, they want the event over by midnight.  At the post fight press conference, Herchel Walker as well as Diaz, both were in rare form.  More on that later, I need to go through my recordings.  What did you guys think of the action Saturday night?

A couple weeks ago I reported that the UFC would give in to Brock Lesnar's demand s and allow him to wrestle at Wrestlemania.  In return he would coach TUF and most likely bring in the best ratings the series has had since the season "starring" Kimbo Slice.  Today Dana White announced that the coaches for TUF 13 would be none other than Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos.  TUF begins filming this month and begins airing on March 30.

While I have no problem (anymore) with the UFC using their biggest draw to coach on TUF, and also understand it's a business move to also allow him to compete at Wrestlemania.  The thing I have a problem with is that this fight is rumored to be for an interim title.  First off, Lesnar, while a huge draw is coming off of a lopsided loss.  Most hardcore fans poke fun at Strikeforce for giving title shots to guys coming off of a loss.  Because this is the UFC and Dana White, as well as Brock Lesnar, will those same fans stay quiet on this one?

Secondly, is it really necessary to have an interim title?  Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquz is reportedly going to be out for six months, not years.  I really believed interim titles were only necessary if a champion was going to be sidelined for a really long time.  I also believe that if it wasn't Brock Lesnar, the UFC wouldn't have even thought about an interim title.  I understand that Brock is the biggest draw the UFC has and that making this a title fight adds to the hype of what ever event this match is put on ("definitely June" according to White), but it just doesn't sit right with me.

Cain of course said the right thing, saying he doesn't mind and won't be offended with whatever the UFC does with the heavyweight division while he's rehabbing his injured shoulder.  What is he supposed to say?  "you guys are giving a title shot to the man I just dominated, that's just stupid!"  That's what he should've said.

Dana White said to Vancouver, "keep your fingers crossed" because "you could be getting" Brock-JDS.  I'll have more on this as details emerge.  What are your thoughts?

***UPDATE***

This fight will be to determine the #1 contender and not for an interim belt as previously reported.  In that case, I have no problem with the UFC's choice in coaches.  Has JDS bitten off more than he can chew?  Or is his takedown defense good enough to stuff Brock?

According to  a tweet made by @ESPN_MMALIVE, lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will be facing Gray Maynrd again at UFC 130 on May 28 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.  If this is true, and the rumored bout between Frank Mir and Roy Nelson pans out, this card is pretty impressive.  Also rumored to be fighting on this card are Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story and Travis Browne vs. Stefan Struve.  As usual, stay tuned for updates!

...according to former rival Matt Hughes, who took to his blog and delivered some pointed criticism toward the champ:

"Well, I haven't talked to you guys since the GSP fight so I'm going to say this, even though I'm going to piss a bunch of people off. To me the GSP fight was boring and I'm even going to tell you why I think it was boring: because I believe GSP is on defense. Number one, he doesn't want to lose the belt and, number two, I think the UFC is paying him too much money and he doesn't want to lose that either. I don't know what's going on in his mind; but he just doesn't seem like he wants to finish anybody."

Ever since losing the welterweight title to Matt Serra at UFC 69, Georges St. Pierre has faced questions from the media and fans regarding his seeming lack of killer instinct. Now his former hero turned nemesis Matt Hughes is piling on and makes the claim that "GSP" is only playing defense when he steps inside the Octagon. Not just because he doesn't want to lose his coveted 170-pound belt but also because he gets paid too much by the UFC. Is Hughes onto something here? Is "Rush" worried more about his wallet than putting away his opponents in the cage? Let's hear your thoughts, Maniacs.

Well there have been a few inquiries about entering the pool late.  If you don't mind being at zero, that's fine with me.  You'll be tied with tap or snap who forgot to make his picks and 5 points behind me.  The leader (I believe) has 50ish points.  The season includes every event (UFC) until 4/30/2011.

There are currently 16 people in the pool, the payout is as follows

1st: 200

2nd: 100

3rd: 20

if we get extra players it will be added to first place (possibly 2nd if we get more than 3)

cost is 20 dollars, paypal money to lojack115@yahoo.com and sign up at mmaplayground and give me username, I will then invite you to the league.

I gave you homos your head start, now it's time for me to win this thing!

Oh and if you want to see a really good movie, go see True Grit.  very well done, right down to the dialogue as they talked back then, full sentences, no contractions, it was a trip!

What an unbelievable MMA weekend.  Here at MMBB, we didn't sleep, we stayed up through the night on Thursday watching Fields Dynamite 2010.  While the commentary is mediocre at best, the fights were very good.  Of course there were your typical Japanese match ups that you just knew weren't going to be close (Overeem vs. Duffee), but there were also some surprises, like Aoki actually making it out of the K-1 rules 1st round against K-1 champion Yuichiro Nagashima.  The night (or early morning) was rounded out with such stars as Gegard Mousasi, Mach Sakurai and judo star Hiroshi Izumi.

After we all rang in the New Year, we were treated to UFC 125.  I personally thought the card was pretty lackluster on paper, but what do I know.  I looked at it like this, putting Clay Guida and Gray Maynard on the same card is an automatic disaster, but I couldn't have been more wrong.  While Maynard did go the full 5 rounds with LW Champ Frankie Edgar, it was nothing like the lay and pray that I expected it to be.  It was a classic back and forth battle in which Maynard, a wrestler, dominated the stand up in the first round.  Edgar on the other hand, outwrestled the much larger Maynard throughout the 2nd-5th rounds.  I don't think anyone expected that match up to go the way it went.

I was so relieved that one of the judges actually got it right!  In my humble opinion, that was by far one the easiest fights to judge in a long time.  Gray obviously scored a 10=8 round in the 1st and also took the 3rd.  Edgar took rounds 2,4 and 5.  I also see no problem with them running it back one more time prior to Anthony Pettis getting his title shot.  If it were a bad decision or a boring fight that ended in a draw, I'd disagree, but who out there doesn't want to see these two go at it again?

As someone who picked Brandon Vera, Chris Leben and Nate Diaz to win, it was a pretty disappointing night for me (as far as picking fights goes).  Who out of these three was the most disappointing?  Leben was reportedly very sick on Saturday night, not able to work up a sweat and throwing up prior to the fight.  I don't like excuses, but will give him a pass.  Vera just seems to be a non factor these days, which is strange considering just a few years ago he was saying he'd hold titles in two different weight classes.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say he's all washed up.  

That leaves Nate Diaz.  He got taken down at will against Kim, and showed next to no BJJ skills from the bottom.  Caesar Gracie trains that being on the bottom is the dominant position when a fight goes to the ground.  If you are a great BJJ practitioner, I agree with that 100%.  There are too many steps to get a submission from the top.  On Saturday night, Kim either showed that he is a pretty good grappler or that Diaz isn't as good as we all once thought.  There were definite openings there (I saw them from my sofa), especially when Nate gave up his back.  He could have given up his back time and again with no threat of being submitted.  While Kim was on his back, he could have rolled for leg locks (knee bars/heel hooks) over and over.  I'm not saying they would have been successful, but it would have been something.  In the final round, he Diaz finally turned it on and looked good.  The knee, in my opinion, was legal.  If one hand on the ground counts as a "grounded opponent," then that rule has to change.  Overall I just don't see why Nate doesn't fight like that for three rounds.  Lastly, I think fighters at 170 are just too big for Diaz, 155 is the correct weight for him.

Overall a pretty good event with an amazing ending.  What did you guys think of all the MMA this past weekend?

Alright guys, this season is closed. it will go from 1/1/2011-4/30/2011

there are officially 16 participants this season (320 dollars).

I'm gonna be nice (since it's a new year) and do 3 spots

1st place $200

2nd place $100

3rd place $20 (free roll).

I will be emailing a few of you to cover the cost of the fees incurred on paypal. They range from .88-2 bucks.  I know it doesn't seem like much, but if I had to cover them all in each season, it could be as much as 35-50 bucks a year that I'm not willing to cover.  

GOOD LUCK ALL and Happy New Year!

p>

I don't buy it!!  I've heard that he is definitely doing TUF and in exchange definitely doing wrestlemania.  White has lied in the past, and could be just keeping this a secret until contracts are signed or he could adamantly be saying no to Brock doing Wrestlemania.  What are you guys thinking?  Do you even care about what Brock does?  I say good riddance, he's not a fighter anyways!  I blame Ariel Helwani...lmao

That's what I heard.  Kind of goes against all the rumors that Brock turned it down and that he wanted to make a couple million at wrestlemania.  I guess he saw the long court battle that the UFC put Couture through and decided not to push the issue?  I'd like to think that over Dana White giving in to a guy with like 7 fights (too lazy to look up) and who doesn't like to get hit.  I know, he's a huge draw and TUF will get Kimbo like ratings, but I'd much rather see Roy Nelson/Mir coach!  If for any reason because Roy is actually a mixed martial artist and not a glorified wrestler who cowers to a fist in the face!

This is just a fanpost, not from my site!

Alright guys, sorry this didn't come sooner, I've had a ton of shit going on at home (good and bad) and have had zero time.  Right now we have 13 people in, but some regulars who have played before haven't paid yet, so it should be a great season.  

If you are interested in joining the pool, send 20 bucks via paypal to lojack115@yahoo.com and then go sign up at mmaplayground.  Email me your username or to make it easier, include it in the comments section here or the paypal payment and I'll invite you into the league.  weigh in friday is the deadline.  

This season will be every UFC event from 1/1/2011-4/30/2011

payout will be in this thread (as long as it's still on top of page) Friday right after weigh ins.

any other questions, just ask!

I've been to UFC and Strikeforce events.  I've been to a few gyms and met numerous fighters.  I've been to press conferences as well as weigh ins.  The thing is, anyone can go to these things.  Anyone can ask for an autograph or a picture, and you'd be surprised how quickly a professional fighter will oblige.  They are just as happy to have fans that appreciate them as you are to have them to cheer for.Monday, something different happened for me.  Me and my son were at AKA in San Jose to meet with a couple fighters for interviews and to watch the end of the professional training session.  After the training was done, 30 or so professional fighters were having their end of session talk when Dave Camarillo said he had an announcement.  It was tough to hear, so I'll paraphrase, he said some nice words as to the dedication and willingness to learn and get better, and that this particular fighter was a great example as to what a professional fighter should strive to be like.  He the called Cain Velasquez up to the ring and presented him with his guerilla jiu jitsu brown belt (equivalent to a BJJ brown belt).

I know to some of you this may not seem like much, but let me put it into perspective for you.  Those of you that don't train or have never been to a gym, what are the odds you'll ever see the Heavyweight champion of the world receive a belt promotion?  Now think about all the people that do train and hang out in gyms.  How many of them get to witness such a special and candid moment in a fighters career?  To me, it was an amazing moment, one I won't soon forget.  Here are some of the many reasons this was so special,  I'm a huge fan of Cain, my son was with me and thought it was the coolest thing ,  because it was a moment that very few people got to witness, and most of all because it  confirmed to me just how much I love this sport.

I couldn't figure out how to post the picture on here, it's up on my website, sorry guys, I tried!

Share with us some moments you may have had that solidifies how much you love mma!

With only 12 days until UFC 125, and the main event almost certain to go to a decision, along with Clay Guida on the card (another decision), I decided to request an interview with someone who rarely goes to a decision (although his last 3 fights have).  Even when he does go to a decision, it's an exciting 3 rounds of non stop action.  Phil Baroni knows this could be the last chance he gets in the octagon, not just because he's coming off of a loss to Amir Sadollah at UFC 106, but because the UFC has been trimming their roster as of late.  He will face undefeated TUF veteran Brad Tavares on Jan. 1.MMBB: I'm here with Phil Baroni 12 days out from his fight with Brad Tavares, I just watched you training a little bit, you look to be in a lot better shape than the last time I saw you.  Training must be going great!?

Baroni: Yeah, it'll be a little over 3 months I'm here by the time I leave which is, like you said, we are 12 days out from the fight and I've done the work.  I haven't missed a workout, and I've done extra.  I'm leaving it in gods hands, I did everything in my power to be ready for this fight and to be in the best physical shape and conditioning and have my skills up to par.  The rust is definitely officially knocked off and I'll have no excuse.  We'll see who ends up with the W, I'm betting on me.  I'm going all in on this one!

MMBB: Other than obviously knowing you're going to win, how do you see the fight going?  Stand and bang?

Baroni: Well he's a stand up guy and if he wants to stand, that's my specialty.  I've been fighting for 10 years, there is no surprises, I'm the New York badass, I'm gonna get in there and be the New York badass.  The only surprise is maybe I haven't been the New York badass the last couple years, since I've been in Pride for whatever reason, but I'm that guy again.

MMBB: You got almost 30 fights, he has 6, do you feel that's a big advantage?

Baroni: I think I've forgotten more than he knows.  This is going to be his first time in the big show.  Everyone keeps saying the pressure is on me or I'll be cut, the pressure is on him too.

MMBB: I think the pressure is on everybody in the UFC right now.

Baroni: Yeah well no pressure no diamonds, and I love the pressure.  I've been in these situations with pressure and so called gotta win fights for the last 5 years and I've been fighting over 10.  Who knows how long I've been fighting in situations like this, but man, I love it!  My back is against the wall, well I fight the best with my back against the wall.  Maybe before I was taking it a little easier and not as serious, but I'm not dumb.  I know the clock is ticking and it's now or never...Fuck never!

MMBB: Last time we talked, I know you don't want to look ahead, but you had mentioned Bisping, then I read about maybe fighting an up and comer,

Baroni: You know, I'm in great shape, done the work, I paid the price, hopefully I get out of there unscathed, and I can get back in the cage in New Jersey.  I would love to fight in New Jersey!  I'll put that out there, hopefully that can get out there, I'll tell you!   I'm not looking ahead or past Brad Tavares, I've done that many times in the past.  I did that bad against another guy from Hawaii and learned the hard way that Hawaiians are tough.  Brad Tavares is probably the most talented Hawaiian at my weight right now, talent wise, young and freshness and I'm definitely not looking past him.  I did the work, but you got to have goals.  I'd like to win this fight, get a 1st round knock out like I used to do when I win and get on the New Jersey card!  I think New Jersey wants to see me.

MMBB: I think that's the key, not taking the time off, not putting on a little extra weight, but staying active and in the gym, and hopping right back into the cage.  The best fighters out there seem to get right back to it after a win.

Baroni: And that's when I fought the best in the world, fighting in Pride, there was no secret, I was fighting every 6 weeks.  They liked me, they used me and I was fighting every 6 weeks.  My shelf life ain't the best you know, I have some demons, everybody does.  I need to have a fight on the table and stay active, you know a fight on the table to train for.  I'm gonna say it after I win at the press conference, man, put me on the New Jersey card because I'm the New York badass and I have a lot of fans in New Jersey and I haven't done as well there in the past and I want to win for those guys and show them that I'm still a contender.  I'll show everybody when I beat this kid, like I said before, I think he's the best guy I've fought in the last 5 years.

MMBB: Do you want an up and comer or would you rather a "name" or you just want to be on that card?

Baroni: I just want to be on that card.  I've never picked my opponents before, whoever they put.  Top 5 guy, if someone gets hurt, I'm stepping in.  I'm gonna get right back in the gym and hopefully get on that card.  I don't know who they have on that card already, but there's definitely someone that needs a fight.  My fights are never boring and will definitely be a crowd pleaser.  I think they got to throw me on that card, they have a ton of guys on their roster that need to get fights so I'd like to get on that card.  I'm sure the performance I put on will make them at least think about putting me on that card.

MMBB: Now when you say get right back in the gym, obviously it's no secret you do well training here at AKA, you ever thought about moving out here permanently?

Baroni: Yeah, I got to win this fight first, and then if I do I'm looking to get a place down here and move out here permanently.

MMBB: That's smart, you do well training out of here!

Baroni: I think I've had some of my best performances training at AKA and that's what I'm looking to do now.  Stay consistent and put on good performances and stay in top shape and fight my ass off.  The time is ticking and I want to get as many fights as I can.  A lot of guys talk about fighting a few times a year, I'll fight 4-6 times a year as long as I'm able.

MMBB: I've seen a big push on Twitter to get you and Tavares onto the Spike tv card, any word on if that's worked?

Baroni: Not yet, keep pushing please.  Keep texting Dana White and @UFC and get me on that card!  You know I'm gonna put on a good show, no matter what I come to fight and it'll be an exciting fight.  I may not get put on the main card, but if it's on Spike, it'll get people to order that main card.

MMBB: I've seen a couple people actually say "Well Phil Baroni's 13-12, why does he deserve to be on the main card?"  What do you have to say to those people?

Baroni: I put on a good fight.  I'm 13-12 against a lot of great fighters.  I've also had some stupid losses that I shouldn't have had before and I've beaten some really talented guys, some top flight guys.  It's mma and record is irrelevant.  I could  have easily...I won 3 fights in 3 months before, I could have easily stayed on that circuit and padded my record by winning 12 fights in a year, but that's not what I'm here to do.  I'm here to fight the best and I don't care about padding my record, this ain't boxing!  Ask anyone who's fought me if I'm a 13-12 fighter.

MMBB: Getting off of you for a second, let's talk about the Koscheck/GSP fight, do you think GSP is that dominant or do you think he just sticks to a game plan and that's what makes him that good?

Baroni: He had a good game plan, I think now finding out about Koscheck's eye, that had something to do with it.  I think maybe he wasn't really fighting well after the 3rd round, the eye was shut, they coulda stopped the fight, but he wanted to go the distance.  Maybe looking back, the doctors or somebody should have stopped that fight.  I don't know, GSP is good, he's a good fighter.  I didn't see it going the way it did, but what can I say.  Did that eye injury happen, maybe he's that good or maybe the eye injury really affected Koscheck, I don't know.  What can I say about that fight, it was a good performance, he won.  He did what he had to do to get his hand raised, he's still the champion.  Now he's onto bigger and better things and more money fights.

MMBB: Another teammate, Jon Fitch will be fighting BJ Penn, a lot of people are saying "Oh, BJ isn't a real welterweight."  Anyone who knows anything knows he's fought from lightweight all the way up to heavyweight, how do you see that fight going?

Baroni: He's a great fighter, and I don't know if he's better at lightweight.  He was the best lightweight in the world until he ran into a bad stylistic matchup with Frankie Edgar, and now he's a better welterweight.  I don't know, it's a hard fight, Fitch is a great fighter, he's very well rounded and works really hard.  Fitch lives in the gym.  There's no guy I know as dedicated, that came from a wrestling background, and got so well rounded that he's a legitimate black belt in jiu jitsu.  I mean he's a great fighter and he has everything it takes to beat BJ.  BJ is BJ and on any given night he has knock out power, he's hard to take down, he's got great submissions.  BJ is also very well rounded so it'll be a good fight.  It's gonna be, can Fitch's stamina and conditioning and toughness as well as his size break down BJ?  Then I see him getting the decision.  Or can BJ overwhelm Jon and stop him?  It's going to be a good fight.

MMBB: Back to you Phil, 12 days out, you still going full steam or are you tapering down?

Baroni: No, I just sparred hard today with 2 guys.  I grappled hard too.  I'm still training hard, it's not time to taper yet, I still have to improve.  I still have time to get stronger, get my conditioning better and peak!  I'm not ready yet, a lot of guys right now would be happy with the performance today and be happy with where they are at, but I'm not.  This is a big fight for me and I got a lot riding on it, and I want to keep on going.  I want to have a couple more hard sparring sessions,I'm not worried about it, I'm not afraid, I'm ready to go!

MMBB: That's probably been the biggest issue you've had is the gas tank previously, you don't see that being an issue this time around?

Baroni: Whatever man, I didn't have a problem in Pride with my gas tank, and those were 10 minute rounds.  I'm sick of hearing about it, I'm sick of being asked about it, you'll just have to wait and see.  I hope he's counting on it, I'm not worried about it, I'm sick of the fucking question to be honest with you!

MMBB: You've fought all over the world, this is, like you said, probably the last hoorah, it's do or die for everybody in the UFC, not just you.  Do you have any message you want to send to Brad Tavares leading up to the fight?

Baroni: I got no shit to talk to him, you know, let's just put on a good show and let's make them never second guess putting this on the undercard or on Spike.  Let's show them that we are worthy and lets put on a good show.  It takes two to tango, so lets do it man, lets fight.  I'm coming to fight, you better be ready to fight, lets just fight.

MMBB: Any sponsors you want to thanks?

Baroni: Affliction, they've stuck by me, Tom Atencio.  I'm not sure on any others yet.  Who wants to jump aboard the Phil Baroni band wagon?  There are slots open, if you want to sponsor the New York badass, get on now while I'm still cheap, because I plan on winning this big fight and my price is gonna go up, so get on board now!

MMBB: Thanks Phil.

Baroni: Alright man.

Paul Daley responded on the UG  today to Gilbert Melendez calling him out:

Gilbert Melendez has called me out.  Says he'll fight at 170lbs.  I'm down, but i know i will get negative feedback from the MMA Media for fighting a Lightweight...again, despite having KO/TKO'd 2 middleweights in my past 3 fights (Acacio and Smith).  So still we have a problem, what i want is another fight in between fighting Diaz, a fight that makes sense and qualifies me, for fighting for the Strikeforce WW title.

This is very strange to me.  Not that he thinks mma media would be negative about him fighting a lightweight, but that he just recently called out KJ Noons, another lightweight.  At least Gilbert is calling out someone who is in a weight class above his, not trying to call out someone that is a lot smaller.  

Daley brags about knocking out 2 middleweights "in his past 3 fights," but fails to mention being dominated by a welterweight (Josh Koscheck).  Daley has a chance to beat anyone willing to stand and bang with him, but will most likely get dominated by anyone who has halfway decent wrestling.  Paul has to realize that any smart fighter will take him down and pound him out or submit him.  

Instead of being worried what the media thinks, maybe he should get into the gym and practice his takedown defense.  Calling out washed up has beens or never were's (Cung Le), someone who will obviously stand (Cyborg), or lightweights (KJ Noons) doesn't further his career as much as training hard and becoming well rounded will.

If Gilbert got his wish and Strikeforce set up a fight between he and Daley, I'd put my money on Melendez.  His wrestling is good enough to take Daley down, and once the fight hit the ground, his BJJ is more than adequate enough to submit him.  What do you guys think?

OK guys, the current season  (season 2) of the cash pool ends this weekend.  I and most of us agreed it was too short.  We as a group have talked about it and here is what we are going to do for season 3.

4 Month season beginning 1/1/2011and ending 4/30/2011

This season will include EVERY UFC event including TUF finale, cards on spike and Vs.

Buy in will remain at 20 dollars

payout will be determined by the number of participants

If you are interested in playing, sign up at mmaplayground.com, then let me know what your username is so I can invite you into our league.  If you are not paid and invited to the league before 1/1/2011, you cannot participate!  The sooner you sign up, the better, I'm going away next week for holidays and the NYE card is only a few weeks away.

Once you sign up at mmaplayground,, paypal 20 dollars to lojack115@yahoo.com.  email me your username to maniapicks@yahoo.com

I know we've had a lot of interest over the past 2 seasons and the number of participants has grown each one.  Lets make this the best season yet!  Any questions, ask them in here, and lets rec this thread so I don't have to make another one!

thanks guys and good luck this weekend~!

Georges St. Pierre is often criticized for not finishing his opponents. This criticism doesn't seem to halt or even slow down when we take into consideration the high level of talent of his opponents he is flawlessly defeating. And coming off another ridiculously impressive performance win over number one contender Josh Koscheck atUFC 123 this past Saturday in Montreal, Georges St. Pierre has now went from a 'boring wrestler who lay n prays to win' to a 'boring striker who can't finish'. Baffled by these outlandish labels I decided instead of simply arguing why Georges St. Pierre isn't all the bad things people call him, I instead decided to provide the cold hard facts. I kept it rather easy to follow, so my average reader that undoubtedly only has his grade 4 math can even follow. Let's dig into the stats. 
Georges St. Pierre's last 5 wins/opponents:

Jon Fitch: 13-1*
BJ Penn: 16-7 (finished 2x)*
Thiago Alves: 12-4 (finished 2x)*
Dan Hardy: 4-2 (finished 1x)*
Josh Koscheck: 13-5 (finished 2x)*

*The above are only UFC records, and do not include No Contests. 


That's a total of 58 wins and 19 losses, combined for a total of 77 fights. In 77 fights those 5 fighter have been finished a total of 7 times. One of those finishes was BJ Penn losing by way of Technical Knockout to Georges St. Pierre himself, when he wasn't able to make the start of the 5th round, and claimed to be walking unconscious since the 2nd. So essentially that makes 6 times that these 5 fighters have been finished by submission or knockout in 77 fights. 

Now let's attack that number from a different angle. Georges St. Pierre has approximately 39% finishes at 8 in 21 wins. Take away his last 5 wins in a row (4 by decision, on by (T)KO) and he's amassed 7 finishes in 16 fights. Almost 50%. So again, that's a current finishing record of about 40%, and of about 50% before his last 5 fights. And of those 5 fighters he defeated, they have only been finished 6 times in almost 80 fights (12.6% of the time). Sinking in? 

So with numbers like this, I find it extremely hard to understand why mixed martial arts fans cannot see what is right in front of them. Is it lack of education? A case of 'livin in the now', and they don't seem to reminisce on the fights passed one or two years ago? Or simply they are drinking too much Haterade? 

Whatever the case may be, it seems quite obvious that we can be sure of one thing: 

"Women lie, Men lie, numbers don't lie"
-Lil Wayne

Thoughts?

To comment, and for more stories like these hit up mondaymorningblackbelt.com

Or click here for this article in particular.

Thanks for your time guys.

Right after one of the most dominant performances in a 5 round title fight that I've ever seen, I wrote this How does GSP manage to not finish 5 round fights?  I was pretty critical as well as curious as to how he can't finish a guy with one eye, no depth perception, and clearly out matched.  The comments that ensued had me thinking.  I've been called biased while claiming 100% objectivity, so I guess this will prove how objective I really am.Kobe Bryant drops 70 on the Raptors, is he supposed to go play quarterback for the Raiders now because no one can cover him?  Tom Brady doesn't have a problem threading passes through any defense, should he go play power forward for the Celtics?  You get the idea yet?  

The big debate and my complaint is that GSP has no competition at WW and needs to move up to MW.  Why?  So it's a "fair" fight?  So I can see him possibly get his ass kicked?  You know what the real answer is?  HE DOESN'T!  There is absolutely no reason for GSP to move up other than to appease the fans.  He will go down as the best fighter in the WW division ever, will probably hold the belt longer than anyone in the WW division ever has and has easily cleared out the division as well as avenge his losses.

Dana White says Jake Shields is next in line for a shot, but we all know we will see a repeat of last night.  Shields has the stand up skills that are the equivalent to 10 year old boy form Thai Land (and that may be insulting the Thai kid).  After that you have the winner of Lytle/Condit.  Lytle may have a chance in the first 10 seconds to land a haymaker, then it's on his back.  That said, it still doesn't mean GSP has to move up.  Is it really his fault that he's leaps and bounds better than every other WW out there?  Maybe the other WW's should take notice and train harder, take less time off or find a new profession.

Do I want to see GSP go up against Anderson Silva?  Of course I do, but for the wrong reasons!  I'm not a fan of GSP and want to see him get tested (not necessarily beat).  The flip side to this is the fact that GSP wants to go down as the best mixed martial artist of all time.  If he doesn't move up, that is an impossible feat!  Anderson Silva has never lost a UFC match in 2 different weight classes and Fedor fought all comers and beat a who's who list of opponents back in Pride.  GSP has dominated one weight class and not finished 3 straight dominating performances and 4 out of 5 recent fights have been decisions to opponents that offered no challenge.

Georges St-Pierre, best WW to ever fight, best athlete to ever fight and one of the best Canadian athletes ever.  By far the most dominant WW champion the sport has seen.  If his goal is to be the best mixed martial artist of all time, there is no doubt in my mind he will move up in weight, and probably be very successful.  He eats right, trains right and wants to move up right.  Can't do anything but respect him for that!

I was recently lucky enough to get a little time with LW #1 contender Gray Maynard.  With all the media requests and training for his January first title fight, the interview was very short, so I got the questions out that I thought the fans would want the answers to.  Enjoy:

MMBB:  Gray thanks for your time, how is training going for the title fight against Frankie Edgar?

Maynard:  Going great!  Making some small adjustments and getting geared up for Jan. 1st

MMBB:  Do you go into this fight with a different mind set knowing you've already beaten Frankie?

Maynard:  No different mindset than any other fight.  I prepare to be the best fighter I am and him bringing his best game.  I always expect a tough fight and coming out of there with a win.

MMBB:  You were on BJ Penn's team for TUF, have you asked him for any info on Frankie now as opposed to when you fought him?

Maynard:  No, the tapes show everything.  I feel confident with the game plans we come up with.

MMBB:  Some fans wanted me to ask, where does the nickname "Bully" come from?

Maynard:  In college I knew a guy that had a couple pit-bulls and a bull terrier.  I ended up stealing the bull terrier because they were stuck in the back yard and he would fight them and shit like that.  So I stole him. I didn’t know what the fuck I was gonna do with a dog in college.  Obviously he had no manners whatsoever.  He was a backyard brawler dog, muscle, testosterone, you know.  I had a lot of incidents but I learned how to train the dog, and he was always “the bully.”  So I just got the nickname “The Bully” because I had a dog that was a bully and I’d go so hard when I trained.  It’s more a joke.  I’m not really a bully, but if we fight, you better believe I’ll be a bully.  I like to think of it now, that I “Bully” my way to my goals!

MMBB:  Obviously Greg Jackson has been defending his camp about being boring, I've spoken to him and Jon Fitch about this and basically got the same answer, how do you react or what do you think when people say Gray Maynard is a boring fighter?

Maynard:  I feel I’ve gone up against all the top competition in the UFC.  I had to put together a good game plan and implement it.  The competition is getting closer and closer.  It’s the small details that will win the big fights!

MMBB:  Will you be able to make the 145 pound weight class now that it'll be in the UFC?

Maynard:  I’m a pretty big 155er, that hasnt even crossed my mind.

MMBB:  Thanks for your time, anyone you want to acknowledge or thank?

Maynard:  Dethrone, HiTech Pharmaceuticals, Xtreme Couture, Xcap, my family, friends, and fans!   Also check out www.graymaynard.com the only place to buy the new “Bully Brand” T shirt!

First off, I have to admit that that was one of the most lop sided title fights in UFC history.  GSP totally outclassed Josh Koscheck in every aspect of mma.  That said, how in the world does GSP not finish that fight?  I understand that Kos is a tough guy and was game, I get that he stuffed a lot of GSP's takedown attempts as well as get a couple takedowns of his own, but there was such a difference in talent level, it was crazy!This is GSP's third decision win in a row, and he's gone to a decision 4 out of his last 5 fights.  In every one of those fights, he was the clear winner, and had every opportunity to finish the fight.  Against Dan Hardy I said he lacked killer instinct.  Against Josh Koscheck, I may say the same.  Kos clearly couldn't see out of his right eye, yet GSP kept up with the jabs.  Why not really go after that eye and put Kos away?  

I will be the first to admit that GSP is probably the best P4P fighter in the world and without a doubt the best WW to ever fight in mma, but that doesn't mean he has that killer instinct.  I 100% understand that he comes into every fight with a game plan and is the best in the business at executing that game plan, but how bout a finish?  There are exactly zero contenders at WW that can give GSP a fight.  That is the thing that irks me about this WW situation. We the fans will continue to see dominating performances by GSP, but it'll be him going up against guys who have no business being in the cage with him!  There isn't a WW in the world that will offer him a challenge.  I'm a huge Jake Shields fan, but after seeing the performance GSP put on tonight, I have no interest in seeing Jake get raped on the feet by GSP!  It's time to move up and fight at MW, because there are simply no more fights for GSP at WW!

What do you guys think?

Those of you not able to stay up into the wee hours of the morning really missed a great show last night.  When watching mma, I love a great ground battle with amazing transitions and slick submissions.  Watching K-1 on the other hand makes you realize how far behind most mma fighters are in the stand up game.  Yes, some are great boxers, some throw some really good kicks, but to see the level of competition at the "superbowl of kickboxing" is something else!Semmy Schilt was the favorite to win last nights event, but his bid for another K-1 World Grand Prix title was derailed at the hands of the legendary Peter Aerts.  Aerts, at age 40 and in his 17th Grand Prix dominated Schilt on route to the finals.  On the other side, Alistair Overeem easily defeated Tyrone Sprongand and Gokhan Saki on his ways to the finals.

Aerts had been battered in his matches leading up to the finals with body kicks as well as having a cut under his right eye.  When the bell rang for the final fight of the evening, Overeem didn't come out slow as he previously had.  He came out and totally dominated Aerts.  After a few punches to the head and a knee, followed by a body kick or two, the referee stepped in and saved Aerts from any permanent damage.  Overeem became the first man to hold world titles in mma as well as K-1.

If you've never watched a japanese event live before, you've missed out on the spectacle that they make it to be.  The halftime show was amazing (sarcastic), it consisted of 6 or 7 Japanese girls dressed as american indians and dancing while lip syncing.  I looked everywhere for the video, but couldn't find it.  Overall, the event was great from start to finish.  Those who watched, what did you think?

also I'll have live results tonight at mondaymorningblackbelt.com

OK guys, It's time to start thinking about the NYE card, which will be a great card to start on for the next league.  I deliberated on going 3 months, all UFC events or 6 months numbered UFC events only.  Feedback would be great, but I'm leaning towards a longer season and only numbered events from Jan 1-jun 1 2011.  Also there was talk about a 50 dollar buy in rather than 20, thoughts?  If interested, sign up at mmaplayground.com, ask any questions in this thread.  If you know you want in, paypal email is lojack115@yahoo.com,  the deadline to pay is before 1/1, but you need to give me time to invite you to our league.  lets get season and cost figured out in the next 30 min to hour so we can get the ball rolling.  with hollidays coming up, I'm going to be busy, going away etc and would like to get this straight early on!

I just heard from a source of mine, and he said that Dana White will announce next week that TUF 13 will be coached by Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva.  Sonnen is now serving a 6 month suspension for a failed drug test while Wand is recovering from fractured ribs, an injury that he got while training for Akiyama and then underwent knee surgery in July 2010.

More on this breaking news as (if) it becomes available.  If this announcement does come and my source is correct, how do you guys feel about this match up?

It's pretty rare when the UFC and Strikeforce, the two most well know mma organizations in N. America have events airing the same night at basically the same time.  It's even more rare when the smaller Strikeforce promotion puts on the better card with more exciting fights.  The mma media as a whole was probably in Las Vegas, I mean why pass up an opportunity to cover the UFC, not to mention no one wants to piss off Dana White for not choosing him.  Just like a scorned girlfriend, he'd have you banned from UFC events so fast if you passed on the opportunity to interview him and instead went to Strikeforce.  For those media members that were in St Louis this Saturday night, they were treated to a non stop card from top to bottom.

While the TUF cast aways, Damian Maia, Kendall Grove, Stephan Bonnar and Igor Pokrajac were grinding out decisions, the stars of Strikeforce were going toe to toe, going back and forth and putting on one of the most exciting top to bottom cards of the year.  The card saw top 10 HW Antonio Silva come back from being dropped early in the first round, to knocking Mike Kyle senseless in one of the best survivals and comebacks I've seen in a long time.

It was all quick and to the point from there on out.  Robbie Lawler, Paul Daley and Dan Henderson all recorded impressive KO victories and the show was over.  I wasn't expecting Daley and Hendo to win that easily, not because they aren't the better fighters, but because Babalu and Smith are both formidable opponents with very strong chins.  I expected Lawler to run through Lindland, his striking is superior and he trains every day with some pretty strong wrestlers.

What's next for these guys after their big wins?  Silva is lobbying to fight Overeem, that's the initial reason he called out his brother.  I personally have never been overly impressed with Silva, but the way he recovered and showed patience in his comeback win made me believe in his ranking.  I would have to say Henderson is at least one win away from a title shot, and with King Mo planning on coming back once his knee is 100%, I think that would make an interesting fight and number one contender's match up.  I mean two wrestler going toe to toe with the opportunity to fight for a title on the line gets me excited every time.

The surprise of the night to me is Daley calling out KJ Noons.  First off, KJ is a professional boxer, and still has more ground game than Daley, more over KJ is a lightweight.  Why would a welterweight call out a lightweight who just lost to the champion?  Grow a pair and just call out the champion.  Daley came to Strikeforce from the UFC after sucker punching Josh Koscheck, so the fans already know who he is, it's not like Strikeforce would have to put much into the marketing of this fight, I mean Daley and Diaz could sell it themselves and I always like to see a slick submission which is how I'm betting this fight would end.

As usual, the UFC is being talked about the most after the event, and as usual the majority of the talk is about the judging.  I personally thought the Pham.Garcia fight was close with Nam winning the second round, and that being the only round that was definitive.  The score that threw me off the most was the 29-26 score in the Brookins/Johnson fight.  Really?  If anything the first round could have been 10-8 Johnson, but I don't think Brookins scored a 10-8 round.  In my honest opinion, that was one of the easiest fights I've ever scored, it was 29-28 Brookins. I think Strikeforce should be very happy this morning, everyone is talking about their exciting event while those same people are only talking about judging in the UFC.  Let's see what kinda show they put out in Jan. and if Fedor is on that card, who knows, Strikeforce just may have the better year in 2011.

I was recently lucky enough to garner some time from one of the top heavyweights in mma today.  He is one of the best self promoters, trains at his house and would never turn down a fight.  Roy Nelson is a fighter I was a fan of long before he entered the TUF house.  I'm sure has had his fan base grow quite a bit since TUF has ended.  

MMBB:  You know what I have to ask first...Coming out to "I'm Fat" by Weird Al, your idea or the UFC?

Nelson:  That would be (pauses) For the creativity would have to come from me.MMBB:  I figured that, as a great self promoter, one of the best at it, where do you get that from?

Nelson:  Other people have done the roadmaps for us, you know, other athletes that have stuck out.  From Andre Agassi being a rebel to using Tito Ortiz as an example in our business.  You need something to stand out and make you different from the rest of the crowd, plus you have to be able to fight.

MMBB:  Thats's the main thing.  When you were going on to TUF, hardcore fans knew you, but casuals only follow the UFC generally, do you know what you were ranked prior to the show?

Nelson:  I think I was definitely in the top 20, but ratings really don't count, that very media manipulated.  I think they actually still have Brett Rogers in the top 10.

MMBB:  I agree, what I was getting at is do you think that TUF could have hurt your career rather than help it?  I mean you probably could have gotten into the UFC without TUF.

Nelson:  Yeah, doing TUF show was basically a PR ploy.  Basically it was my PR stunt to make sure I was introduced to the UFC's fans correctly.

MMBB:  Now did you have any idea Kimbo Slice was going to be on the show prior to taping?

Nelson:  No, that was actually one of the biggest surprises, and then when I found out I had to fight him I was actually a little upset about it.  

MMBB:  When you saw him walk out you must've been happy knowing the fan base he brings to the table, even though he's not even a real mma fighter, he's gonna get you crazy exposure.

Nelson:  On the business side, yeah I was happy because more people are going to be watching the show because of Kimbo.  When I had to fight him, I hated that, all I could think of was that "ah man I'm losing like a half million dollars."

MMBB:  I guess that's one way to look at it too, I never thought of it like that, I'm thinking you get the so called "glory boy" in your first fight.  A lot of the audience probably thought you were going to lose, so in the long run you get a lot more fans.  But then again if that fight happens on CBS you're gonna make a lot of money!

Nelson:  yeah, that's what he had made his last fight, and I figured when I fought Andrei, he made a half million so I figured I could have made roughly at least half that or at least a half a million.

MMBB:  During the show, Dana White didn't seem to care for you, is your relationship good with him or is it basically he's your boss and that's it?  

Nelson:  Actually I'd say nobody is really my boss because we are independent contractors.  Well at least that's what we are told on paper.  So for the most part, Dana promotes fights, that's what he's good at.  But the real boss over at the UFC is Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and Dana, but those are the guys that...You got to really understand how the pecking order really goes.

MMBB:  I understand you guys are independent contractors, but on the flip side if you said hey I'm gonna go wrestle in the WWE, not like Rampage and his cameo, but really wrestle, they aren't going to let you do that, so technically you are tied down no?

Nelson:  Technically if we are independent contractors then that would be a negative.

MMBB:  Really, wow, I've never heard it quite put like that.  How's the knee rehab going?

Nelson:  Rehab is still a work in progress, I think a couple weeks ago I had a little set back but for the most part it's getting better.  It's good that I've had some time off.

MMBB:  There were rumors that Brock had called you out, then it was said he didn't.  Can you explain to me step by step how you would beat Brock.  It's already obvious that he doesn't like to get hit, so how would you go about beating him?

Nelson:  Actually everyone can thank Shane Carwin.  Shane Carwin showed everybody how to beat Brock Lesnar.  Then Cain Velasquez took it one step further, said ok I'm not going to get tired, and now the third person to fight Brock just watches what Cain Velasquez did.  That's the thing that Brock is gonna have to fix, like ok I can't get a take down and I can't stop the takedown.  Basically Velasquez showed how to beat him so we should thank Cain.

MMBB:  It's very obvious he doesn't like to get hit, does that have to do with heart or does he have to actually go to a decent training camp where he's not paying everyone and he's not the boss?  Where do you think it stems from?

Nelson:  I really don't know if he doesn't like to be hit in the face or anything like that.  How it works in our sport, it's either you like to get hit or you don't like to get hit, like you don't mind getting hit.  If you don't really like getting hit...I know some great athletes that just can't get punched.  They just close their eyes and end up like a flopping fish out of water.  It's one of those things, it's not a skill I think you learn, it's more like an animal instinct.

MMBB:  You brought up Shane Carwin, you got Todd Duffee, we see these guys all jacked up with muscle on top of muscle gassing out quick.  Do you think it's because of their physique whereas a guy built like you and me doesn't get tired so quick?

Nelson:  Anybody that know the physiology of the human body knows that the more muscle you have the more oxygen you need.  So the more muscle you have, your cardio needs to be better, it's not rocket science.  That's why I like to float like water.

MMBB:  I talked to a fan yesterday who said he thinks you could make 205, what do you have to say to that fan?

Nelson:  You know I wish I could make 205, but I haven't seen 205 since my sophomore year in high school, and maybe I'd have to cut off my right leg or something like that.  

MMBB:  Do you have anyone in particular that you want to fight when you come back or are you basically waiting to see who's offered?

Nelson:  You know what, I'd fight anybody that's on the roster, but if I had my choices I would go:  Big Nog, but he's out until June, so in my perfect scenario it would go Brock, Big Nog, then fight for the belt and then fight Shane and then whoever.  I really don't care!

MMBB:  I love fighters like that, I can't stand these guys that you hear about turning down fights, I mean if you're a fighter, why are you turning down fights?

Nelson:  The way I look at it is if you're supposed to be the best of the best, you shouldn't be turning down any fights.  

MMBB:  Another debate we were having on a forum the other day is, obviously Greg Jackson's camp gets a lot of flack for being boring, Jon Fitch and Gray Maynard, do you think it would be perceived as less boring if in North America they allowed knees to the head of grounded opponent or kicks and stomps.  I mean instead of someone sitting in north/south position, they could potentially end the fight, where do you stand?

Nelson:  I don't really believe in knees to the head on the ground, or soccer kicks.  It's still a sport.  It's not because these guys are boring fighters, it's kinda rigged for...the reason it's considered a boring fight is because the guy on the bottom doesn't know how to get up.  Everyone thinks it's the guy on top not doing anything, but the guy on top is the guy that's winning.  The guy on top is in the dominant position, why does everyone think he has to be doing something?  Really it's the guy on bottom that actually sucks and that's the reason he can't do anything.  

MMBB:  And that's the reason he's on the bottom to begin with?

Nelson:  Right.

MMBB:  Judging, do you have problems with all these bad decisions, I know the most recent was Rampage, I thought it coulda gone either way,  but what do you say about judging, finish fights or get guys that actually know mma rather than guys like Cecil Peoples?

Nelson:  The Machida fight was either Machida won or it was a draw.  It's kinda hard to say because they are using the 10 point must system.  I think it be easier if it wasn't 3 rounds, now if you mess up once it kinda screws up the whole thing versus if you had like 5 rounds then you could make it up, you could double check yourself.  I just think judges need to be more educated.

MMBB:  I agree, there's been a lot of rounds where I could score it 10-10, but they just are too afraid to score it that way.

Nelson:  The reason most judges won't do it is because 10-10 will screw up the whole scenario of who wins because you'll have a lot of draws.  It also would be messing up with all the bookies, there has to be money being made.  

MMBB:  I don't know about that.

Nelson:  There's no ties in gambling.

MMBB:  Right, I gamble a lot, and on a lot of mma, and I would have no problem with, Machida/Rampage is a good example, I thought it could have gone either way, I would have been happy as hell with a draw and I as a betting man would have no issue with the draws, it would make guys think more like: Oh shit I have to finish because there have been a lot of 10-10 rounds.

Nelson:  Actually in mma it wouldn't make a difference because for most fighters, say you fought 50 times and they were all draws, it would be like, hey I'm 0-0-50.  You're still gonna get paid the same, it's really not going to affect your money if you're one of the top guys.  Every fighter goes out there trying to finish the fight, sometimes it just doesn't happen.  You hit some guy hard enough in the head and they just don't go down and then sometimes you're like man I'm tired.  There's a lot of things that go on with a fighter throughout the whole fight.  Like Fitch vs. GSP, that was the most funnest fight to watch, but then you got GSP and how he fights now, he fights safe.  There's nothing wrong with that it's just, as long as you're a winner, everyone loves you and you're gonna get paid.  How our scenario works is if you get paid with a win bonus, it's about just winning, it has nothing to do with how exciting you look because most people's win bonus is bigger than knock out of the night or submission of the night.  So it really doesn't make sense to go out and say I'm gonna get KO of the night and then lose, and then you lose your win bonus.  It's one of those things that really doesn't make sense, the whole thing is just to win.

MMBB:  You bring up GSP and fighting safe, it's obviously been ever since Serra clocked him, do you think that affected him as in he doesn't like to get hit, he has a soft chin, what do you think is going through his head?

Nelson:  No I think it's once you get knocked out or once you get put in a position you never want to be in again, you just learn from it and go I'll never have that happen again, and GSP has done that, he's never let it happen again.  That's just being a smart fighter, it has nothing to do with being a boring fighter or I don't want to engage or do this, it's just I don't want to get knocked out, I want to win.  It's like a coach in basketball using different defenses where they don't have to play man or they play some zone.  It's just different strategies.

MMBB:  You think Koscheck has a chance?

Nelson:  I think he has a better chance than last time.  I think Koscheck was just thrown off with GSP's wrestling ability and I think this time he'll be ready for his wrestling so he won't be on his back as much.  I think it will come down to who has the better striking and who can mix it up the best.  

MMBB:  How many months are we away from seeing you fight again?

Nelson:  I'm open,  my Dr. was going to let me fight sometime in February, so I'm hoping like March.

MMBB:  That's right around the time Brock should be coming back, I hope the UFC can put that fight together, I know as a fan I'd want to see it!

Nelson:  That's a fight I'd like to see, if not maybe you will be seeing me on the TUF show, maybe I'll be an ultimate fighter coach.

MMBB:  Is that something they've talked to you about or something you're just throwing out there?

Nelson:  I'm just putting it out there.  I think they know who they want.

MMBB:  You'd probably be good at it, isn't that where you got started, coaching?

Nelson:  Yeah I coached a couple UFC champions and it wasn't paying the bills so I decided to just go take their money.

MMBB:  Roy, I really appreciate the time, anyone you want to thank before I let you go?

Nelson:  Always of course the fans, they are the ones that make our sport what it is.  Sponsors, Tapout, Roynelson.com, and on twitter roynelsonmma